1
|
Scasny A, Alibayov B, Khan F, Rao SJ, Murin L, Jop Vidal AG, Smith P, Li W, Edwards K, Warncke K, Vidal JE. Oxidation of hemoproteins by Streptococcus pneumoniae collapses the cell cytoskeleton and disrupts mitochondrial respiration leading to the cytotoxicity of human lung cells. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0291223. [PMID: 38084982 PMCID: PMC10783075 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02912-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) colonizes the lungs, killing millions every year. During its metabolism, Spn produces abundant amounts of hydrogen peroxide. When produced in the lung parenchyma, Spn-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) causes the death of lung cells, and details of the mechanism are studied here. We found that Spn-H2O2 targets intracellular proteins, resulting in the contraction of the cell cytoskeleton and disruption of mitochondrial function, ultimately contributing to cell death. Intracellular proteins targeted by Spn-H2O2 included cytochrome c and, surprisingly, a protein of the cell cytoskeleton, beta-tubulin. To study the details of oxidative reactions, we used, as a surrogate model, the oxidation of another hemoprotein, hemoglobin. Using the surrogate model, we specifically identified a highly reactive radical whose creation was catalyzed by Spn-H2O2. In sum, we demonstrated that the oxidation of intracellular targets by Spn-H2O2 plays an important role in the cytotoxicity caused by Spn, thus providing new targets for interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Scasny
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Babek Alibayov
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Faidad Khan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Shambavi J. Rao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State School of Medicine, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Landon Murin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Ana G. Jop Vidal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Perriann Smith
- Mississippi INBRE Research Scholar, University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kristin Edwards
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Kurt Warncke
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jorge E. Vidal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Scasny A, Alibayov B, Khan F, Rao SJ, Murin L, Jop Vidal AG, Smith P, Wei L, Edwards K, Warncke K, Vidal JE. Oxidation of hemoproteins by Streptococcus pneumoniae collapses the cell cytoskeleton and disrupts mitochondrial respiration leading to cytotoxicity of human lung cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544089. [PMID: 37333138 PMCID: PMC10274756 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) causes pneumonia that kills millions through acute toxicity and invasion of the lung parenchyma. During aerobic respiration, Spn releases hydrogen peroxide (Spn-H 2 O 2 ), as a by-product of enzymes SpxB and LctO, and causes cell death with signs of both apoptosis and pyroptosis by oxidizing unknown cell targets. Hemoproteins are molecules essential for life and prone to oxidation by H 2 O 2 . We recently demonstrated that during infection-mimicking conditions, Spn-H 2 O 2 oxidizes the hemoprotein hemoglobin (Hb), releasing toxic heme. In this study, we investigated details of the molecular mechanism(s) by which the oxidation of hemoproteins by Spn-H 2 O 2 causes human lung cell death. Spn strains, but not H 2 O 2 -deficient SpnΔ spxB Δ lctO strains caused time-dependent cell cytotoxicity characterized by the rearrangement of the actin, the loss of the microtubule cytoskeleton and nuclear contraction. Disruption of the cell cytoskeleton correlated with the presence of invasive pneumococci and an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species. In cell culture, the oxidation of Hb or cytochrome c (Cyt c ) caused DNA degradation and mitochondrial dysfunction from inhibition of complex I-driven respiration, which was cytotoxic to human alveolar cells. Oxidation of hemoproteins resulted in the creation of a radical, which was identified as a protein derived side chain tyrosyl radical by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Thus, we demonstrate that Spn invades lung cells, releasing H 2 O 2 that oxidizes hemoproteins, including Cyt c , catalyzing the formation of a tyrosyl side chain radical on Hb and causing mitochondrial disruption, that ultimately leads to the collapse of the cell cytoskeleton.
Collapse
|
3
|
Mitochondria: Emerging Consequential in Sickle Cell Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030765. [PMID: 36769414 PMCID: PMC9917941 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced mitochondrial multi-omics indicate a multi-facet involvement of mitochondria in the physiology of the cell, changing the perception of mitochondria from being just the energy-generating organelles to organelles that highly influence cell structure, function, signaling, and cell fate. This sets mitochondrial dysfunction in the centerstage of numerous acquired and genetic diseases. Sickle cell disease is also being increasingly associated with mitochondrial anomalies and the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease finds mitochondria at crucial intersections in the pathological cascade. Altered mitophagy, increased ROS, and mitochondrial DNA all contribute to the condition and its severity. Such mitochondrial aberrations lead to consequent mitochondrial retention in red blood cells in sickle cell diseases, increased oxidation in the cellular environment, inflammation, worsened vaso-occlusive crisis, etc. There are increasing studies indicating mitochondrial significance in sickle cell disease, consequently providing an opportunity to target it for improving the outcomes of treatment. Identification of the impaired mitochondrial attributes in sickle cell disease and their modulation by therapeutic interventions can impart a better management of the disease. This review aims to describe the mitochondria in the perspective of sicke cell disease so as to provide the reader an overview of the emerging mitochondrial stance in sickle cell disease.
Collapse
|
4
|
Jana S, Heaven MR, Alayash AI. Cell-Free Hemoglobin Does Not Attenuate the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit in Pulmonary Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9041. [PMID: 34445747 PMCID: PMC8396564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects epithelial airway cells that express the host entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which binds to the S1 spike protein on the surface of the virus. To delineate the impact of S1 spike protein interaction with the ACE2 receptor, we incubated the S1 spike protein with human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC). HPAEC treatment with the S1 spike protein caused disruption of endothelial barrier function, increased levels of numerous inflammatory molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, IL-1β, CCL5, CXCL10), elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a mild rise in glycolytic reserve capacity. Because low oxygen tension (hypoxia) is associated with severe cases of COVID-19, we also evaluated treatment with hemoglobin (HbA) as a potential countermeasure in hypoxic and normal oxygen environments in analyses with the S1 spike protein. We found hypoxia downregulated the expression of the ACE2 receptor and increased the critical oxygen homeostatic signaling protein, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α); however, treatment of the cells with HbA yielded no apparent change in the levels of ACE2 or HIF-1α. Use of quantitative proteomics revealed that S1 spike protein-treated cells have few differentially regulated proteins in hypoxic conditions, consistent with the finding that ACE2 serves as the host viral receptor and is reduced in hypoxia. However, in normoxic conditions, we found perturbed abundance of proteins in signaling pathways related to lysosomes, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and pyrimidine metabolism. We conclude that the spike protein alone without the rest of the viral components is sufficient to elicit cell signaling in HPAEC, and that treatment with HbA failed to reverse the vast majority of these spike protein-induced changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abdu I. Alayash
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (S.J.); (M.R.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Meegan JE, Bastarache JA, Ware LB. Toxic effects of cell-free hemoglobin on the microvascular endothelium: implications for pulmonary and nonpulmonary organ dysfunction. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L429-L439. [PMID: 34009034 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00018.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin are elevated during hemolytic and inflammatory diseases and contribute to organ dysfunction and severity of illness. Though several studies have investigated the contribution of hemoglobin to tissue injury, the precise signaling mechanisms of hemoglobin-mediated endothelial dysfunction in the lung and other organs are not yet completely understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the knowledge gained thus far and the need for further investigation regarding hemoglobin-mediated endothelial inflammation and injury to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting the damaging effects of cell-free hemoglobin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie E Meegan
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Julie A Bastarache
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Lorraine B Ware
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tomasek T, Ware LB, Bastarache JA, Meegan JE. Cell-free hemoglobin-mediated human lung microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is not mediated by cell death. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 556:199-206. [PMID: 33848934 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Circulating cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) contributes to endothelial injury in several inflammatory and hemolytic conditions. We and others have shown that CFH causes increased endothelial permeability, but the precise mechanisms of CFH-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction are not fully understood. Based on our previous study in a mouse model of sepsis demonstrating that CFH increased apoptosis in the lung, we hypothesized that CFH causes endothelial barrier dysfunction through this cell death mechanism. We first confirmed that CFH causes human lung microvascular barrier dysfunction in vitro that can be prevented by the hemoglobin scavenger, haptoglobin. While CFH caused a small but significant decrease in cell viability measured by the membrane impermeable DNA dye Draq7 in human lung microvascular endothelial cells, CFH did not increase apoptosis as measured by TUNEL staining or Western blot for cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, inhibitors of apoptosis (Z-VAD-FMK), necrosis (IM-54), necroptosis (necrostatin-1), ferroptosis (ferrostatin-1), or autophagy (3-methyladenine) did not prevent CFH-mediated endothelial barrier dysfunction. We conclude that although CFH may cause a modest decrease in cell viability over time, cell death does not contribute to CFH-mediated lung microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toria Tomasek
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Lorraine B Ware
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Julie A Bastarache
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jamie E Meegan
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gbotosho OT, Kapetanaki MG, Kato GJ. The Worst Things in Life are Free: The Role of Free Heme in Sickle Cell Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 11:561917. [PMID: 33584641 PMCID: PMC7873693 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.561917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemolysis is a pathological feature of several diseases of diverse etiology such as hereditary anemias, malaria, and sepsis. A major complication of hemolysis involves the release of large quantities of hemoglobin into the blood circulation and the subsequent generation of harmful metabolites like labile heme. Protective mechanisms like haptoglobin-hemoglobin and hemopexin-heme binding, and heme oxygenase-1 enzymatic degradation of heme limit the toxicity of the hemolysis-related molecules. The capacity of these protective systems is exceeded in hemolytic diseases, resulting in high residual levels of hemolysis products in the circulation, which pose a great oxidative and proinflammatory risk. Sickle cell disease (SCD) features a prominent hemolytic anemia which impacts the phenotypic variability and disease severity. Not only is circulating heme a potent oxidative molecule, but it can act as an erythrocytic danger-associated molecular pattern (eDAMP) molecule which contributes to a proinflammatory state, promoting sickle complications such as vaso-occlusion and acute lung injury. Exposure to extracellular heme in SCD can also augment the expression of placental growth factor (PlGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), with important consequences to enthothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion and pulmonary hypertension, and potentially the development of renal and cardiac dysfunction. This review focuses on heme-induced mechanisms that are implicated in disease pathways, mainly in SCD. A special emphasis is given to heme-induced PlGF and IL-6 related mechanisms and their role in SCD disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwabukola T. Gbotosho
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maria G. Kapetanaki
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Gregory J. Kato
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The Providence Mutation (βK82D) in Human Hemoglobin Substantially Reduces βCysteine 93 Oxidation and Oxidative Stress in Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249453. [PMID: 33322551 PMCID: PMC7763657 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly toxic oxidative transformation of hemoglobin (Hb) to the ferryl state (HbFe4+) is known to occur in both in vitro and in vivo settings. We recently constructed oxidatively stable human Hbs, based on the Hb Providence (βK82D) mutation in sickle cell Hb (βE6V/βK82D) and in a recombinant crosslinked Hb (rHb0.1/βK82D). Using High Resolution Accurate Mass (HRAM) mass spectrometry, we first quantified the degree of irreversible oxidation of βCys93 in these proteins, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and compared it to their respective controls (HbA and HbS). Both Hbs containing the βK82D mutation showed considerably less cysteic acid formation, a byproduct of cysteine irreversible oxidation. Next, we performed a novel study aimed at exploring the impact of introducing βK82D containing Hbs on vascular endothelial redox homeostasis and energy metabolism. Incubation of the mutants carrying βK82D with endothelial cells resulted in altered bioenergetic function, by improving basal cellular glycolysis and glycolytic capacity. Treatment of cells with Hb variants containing βK82D resulted in lower heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin expressions, compared to native Hbs. We conclude that the presence of βK82D confers oxidative stability to Hb and adds significant resistance to oxidative toxicity. Therefore, we propose that βK82D is a potential gene-editing target in the treatment of sickle cell disease and in the design of safe and effective oxygen therapeutics.
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Jana S, Strader MB, Meng F, Hicks W, Kassa T, Tarandovskiy I, De Paoli S, Simak J, Heaven MR, Belcher JD, Vercellotti GM, Alayash AI. Hemoglobin oxidation-dependent reactions promote interactions with band 3 and oxidative changes in sickle cell-derived microparticles. JCI Insight 2018; 3:120451. [PMID: 30385713 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.120451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of intracellular hemoglobin (Hb) oxidation to RBC-derived microparticle (MP) formation is poorly defined in sickle cell disease (SCD). Here we report that sickle Hb (HbS) oxidation, coupled with changes in cytosolic antioxidative proteins, is associated with membrane alterations and MP formation in homozygous Townes-sickle cell (Townes-SS) mice. Photometric and proteomic analyses confirmed the presence of high levels of Hb oxidation intermediates (ferric/ferryl) and consequent β-globin posttranslational modifications, including the irreversible oxidation of βCys93 and the ubiquitination of βLys96 and βLys145. This is the first report to our knowledge to link the UPS (via ubiquitinated Hb and other proteins) to oxidative stress. Ferryl Hb also induced complex formation with band 3 and RBC membrane proteins. Incubation of Townes-SS MPs with human endothelial cells caused greater loss of monolayer integrity, apoptotic activation, heme oxygenase-1 induction, and concomitant bioenergetic imbalance compared with control Townes-AA MPs. MPs obtained from Townes-SS mice treated with hydroxyurea produced fewer posttranslational Hb modifications. In vitro, hydroxyurea reduced the levels of ferryl Hb and shielded its target residue, βCys93, by a process of S-nitrosylation. These mechanistic analyses suggest potential antioxidative therapeutic modalities that may interrupt MP heme-mediated pathophysiology in SCD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fantao Meng
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology and
| | - Wayne Hicks
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology and
| | - Tigist Kassa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology and
| | | | - Silvia De Paoli
- Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Division of Blood Components and Devices, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jan Simak
- Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Division of Blood Components and Devices, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - John D Belcher
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gregory M Vercellotti
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Decreased nitrite reductase activity of deoxyhemoglobin correlates with platelet activation in hemoglobin E/ß-thalassemia subjects. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203955. [PMID: 30235277 PMCID: PMC6147434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) can be generated from nitrite by reductase activity of deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb) apparently to facilitate tissue perfusion under hypoxic condition. Although hemoglobin E (HbE) solutions have been shown to exhibit decreased rate of nitrite reduction to NO, this observation has never been reported in erythrocytes from subjects with hemoglobin E/ß-thalassemia (HbE/ß-thal). In this study, we investigated the nitrite reductase activity of deoxyHb dialysates from 58 non-splenectomized and 23 splenectomized HbE/ß-thal subjects compared to 47 age- and sex-matched normal subjects, and examined its correlation with platelet activity. Iron-nitrosyl-hemoglobin (HbNO) was measured by tri-iodide reductive chemiluminescence as a marker of NO generation. HbNO produced from the reaction of nitrite with deoxyHb dialysate from both non-splenectomized and splenectomized HbE/ß-thal subjects was lower than that of normal (AA) hemoglobin subjects. P-selectin expression, a marker of platelet activation, at baseline and in reactivity to stimulation by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), were higher in HbE/ß-thal subjects than normal subjects. HbNO formation from the reactions of nitrite and deoxyHb inversely correlated with baseline platelet P-selectin expression, HbE levels, and tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV). Nitrite plus deoxygenated erythrocytes from HbE/ß-thal subjects had a lower ability to inhibit ADP-induced P-selectin expression on platelets than erythrocytes from normal subjects. We conclude that deoxyHb in erythrocytes from HbE/ß-thal subjects has a decreased ability to reduce nitrite to NO, which is correlated with increased platelet activity in these individuals.
Collapse
|